Summerfield church expands, adds dining area

Village View Church construction

A construction worker is seen working on the Village View Church Santuary addition as construction continues at Village View Community Church in Summerfield on Thursday August 29, 2013. The project includes expanding the worship center to add more seating, a 11,000 sf fellowship and cafe area, including 6 new preschool classrooms with indoor play area, a new elementary class module building, a new parking lot and a new multipurpose building. The project will be completed in December with a grand opening in January 2014. For more information visit www.villageviewchurch.com.

Lisa Crigar/Star-Banner

By Andy FillmoreCorrespondent

Published: Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at 4:07 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at 4:07 p.m.

Renovations and new construction at Village View Community Church in Summerfield will include a European-style dining area.

"No lattes yet at the Sonshine Café, but we serve coffee and donuts and yogurt after our services, and a full meal is available before Wednesday services," said the Rev. Doug Napier, head of executive operations, when asked about the café with a bistro flair, located just outside the sanctuary.

"We want an area that fosters a sense of fellowship, and Bible study can be held in the multi-purpose building. It's part of Pastor Marty Shea's vision for our church," Napier said.

The non-denominational church, which is affiliated with the Church of God in Anderson, Ind., commenced the three-phase renovation and expansion project in November 2012. Remodeling is underway to the café, the church's Pathways Bookstore and a central meeting area in the main sanctuary. A new 6,000 square-foot multi-purpose building is being constructed adjacent to the sanctuary. The project includes renovation and expansion of the sanctuary, with audio and visual system upgrades, and a new wing on the church's kindergarten through eighth grade school.

A central part of the project is increased security for students, with more glass areas for better visibility, electronic keypad entries and cameras.

An outdoor patio, increased paved parking and an air conditioning upgrade also were included in the project.

Napier said the church wants to fulfill members' needs from "cradle to grave."

The church was established in 1996 with a "dream of carrying God's message of hope" to residents of The Villages retirement community and in Marion, Lake and Sumter counties, according to its website, http://villageviewchurch.com.

The site states that 42 families made up the early congregation. Napier, who has been at the church since 1998, said about 2,500 people take part in services there now.

Goff Companies, a church design firm based in Dallas, Texas, was the planner for the project.

"The trend in church construction is more open space, like you might see in a mall," said CEO Billy Goff in a phone interview. "We are also seeing more of the cafes and bookstores."

Goff said the open spaces, for example seating areas outside sanctuaries, invite people to gather and not feel "like they have to leave immediately after the service."

Marion County building permits indicate the project cost as roughly $3.7 million. Church officials would not confirm the figure, but Napier did say the project cost was handled through a building fund and some financing. It should be completed by early 2014, he said.

A newly installed "water feature" and outdoor baptismal pool now welcome worshippers as they arrive at the venue, but there was a slight glitch getting it constructed.

"We did have some problems getting contractors to bid the outdoor baptismal. When we re-did the bid and called for a small concrete pool, the bids came pouring in," Napier said.

<p>Renovations and new construction at Village View Community Church in Summerfield will include a European-style dining area.</p><p>"No lattes yet at the Sonshine Café, but we serve coffee and donuts and yogurt after our services, and a full meal is available before Wednesday services," said the Rev. Doug Napier, head of executive operations, when asked about the café with a bistro flair, located just outside the sanctuary.</p><p>"We want an area that fosters a sense of fellowship, and Bible study can be held in the multi-purpose building. It's part of Pastor Marty Shea's vision for our church," Napier said.</p><p>The non-denominational church, which is affiliated with the Church of God in Anderson, Ind., commenced the three-phase renovation and expansion project in November 2012. Remodeling is underway to the café, the church's Pathways Bookstore and a central meeting area in the main sanctuary. A new 6,000 square-foot multi-purpose building is being constructed adjacent to the sanctuary. The project includes renovation and expansion of the sanctuary, with audio and visual system upgrades, and a new wing on the church's kindergarten through eighth grade school.</p><p>A central part of the project is increased security for students, with more glass areas for better visibility, electronic keypad entries and cameras.</p><p>"We use photo identification cards with color markings which indicate a security check," Napier said.</p><p>An outdoor patio, increased paved parking and an air conditioning upgrade also were included in the project.</p><p>Napier said the church wants to fulfill members' needs from "cradle to grave."</p><p>The church was established in 1996 with a "dream of carrying God's message of hope" to residents of The Villages retirement community and in Marion, Lake and Sumter counties, according to its website, http://villageviewchurch.com.</p><p>The site states that 42 families made up the early congregation. Napier, who has been at the church since 1998, said about 2,500 people take part in services there now.</p><p>Goff Companies, a church design firm based in Dallas, Texas, was the planner for the project.</p><p>"The trend in church construction is more open space, like you might see in a mall," said CEO Billy Goff in a phone interview. "We are also seeing more of the cafes and bookstores."</p><p>Goff said the open spaces, for example seating areas outside sanctuaries, invite people to gather and not feel "like they have to leave immediately after the service."</p><p>Marion County building permits indicate the project cost as roughly $3.7 million. Church officials would not confirm the figure, but Napier did say the project cost was handled through a building fund and some financing. It should be completed by early 2014, he said.</p><p>A newly installed "water feature" and outdoor baptismal pool now welcome worshippers as they arrive at the venue, but there was a slight glitch getting it constructed.</p><p>"We did have some problems getting contractors to bid the outdoor baptismal. When we re-did the bid and called for a small concrete pool, the bids came pouring in," Napier said.</p>